When it comes to reducing global warming pollution, it’s clearly easier said than done.

Now two environmental groups have released a report with details about how far Maine is falling short on its efforts.

Maine and other New England states pledged in 2001 to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, and then reduce them 10 percent by 2020. The Natural Resources Council of Maine and Environment Maine say that we got off to a slow start. In fact, emissions increased by 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2001 to 2005, partly because of a 7 percent increase in emissions from cars, trucks and airplanes, the report says.

With the increases after the pledge, Maine must now cut emissions at least 17 percent by 2010 and 26 percent by 2020, according to the report.

Maine’s emissions actually did drop slightly from 2004 to 2005, it says. That is attributed to greater use of hydro and biomass power, a milder winter and shutdowns of industrial mills (clearly not the preferred strategy). Those reductions were great enough to offset the 4 percent increase in gasoline usage.

See the report, Falling Behind: New England Must Act Now to Reduce Global Warming Pollution, here.

Maine does appear to be making more progress within state government. Last summer, Gov. John Baldacci said the state has reduced its emissions 8 percent since 2002, partly by increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy use in state buildings.

Baldacci and other state leaders also have been pushing for measures that could have statewide impacts but have not yet kicked in. Maine is participating in a regional plan to reduce emissions form large power pants starting next year, is pushing for the right to set tougher energy efficiency standards for cars and trucks and is rewriting laws and rules to encourage more wind energy development, among other things.

If you’d like even more sobering information about the challenge of fighting on global warming, the Greater Portland Council of Governments has posted the keynote presentation delivered last Friday at a sustainable energy forum in Portland. Charlie Stephens, an energy expert from Oregon, made a big impression on some attendees and it’s easy to see why. Not a pretty picture.

Gluttons for punishment should also read this Associated Press story about the dramatic meltdown of an Antarctic ice shelf.

Now, have a nice day.

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